A drink-driving local mayor has now resigned following the shocking incident which saw the local politician convicted of hitting a cyclist while driving home from a party where he had drunk “four or five pints of Stella”.<\/p>\n
Ryan Davies was sentenced back in November, but still remained in his role until this week, when he posted a statement on social media confirming he would resign.\u00a0The mayor of the Shropshire village of Clun had been convicted after driving seven miles home from a party while more than two times over the drink-driving limit, the local politician hitting a cyclist during that journey.<\/p>\n
>\u00a0Drunk mayor knocked cyclist off bike after “four or five pints of Stella” at party<\/a><\/p>\n The cyclist, Cain Western, was riding home from work and was wearing a high-visibility vest, and had lights and reflectors on his bike. He was hit from behind by the drink-driver and knocked off his bike. Davies slowed but did not stop immediately. He then continued driving, before returning to the scene, but left again despite being told he had hit a cyclist, who fortunately only suffered minor injuries, according to reports from court.<\/p>\n A witness was able to identify Davies and police found a wing mirror when they attended the scene. Officers arrested the mayor at his home having found that\u00a0he was two times over the legal limit with 183 milligrams of alcohol in his system, the legal limit in the UK 80mg\/100ml of blood.<\/p>\n In a lengthy statement posted on social media this week, Davies announced his resignation, the post\u00a0also talking of social media being a place with “unsubstantiated comments”, something he called “sad and quite frankly dangerous to communities”. Davies said that was not the reason for his resignation, instead suggesting family bereavements and the impact of mayoral duties on his full-time job had taken a “big toll”.\u00a0His\u00a0statement avoided mention of\u00a0his drink-driving conviction.<\/p>\n “This decision was very tough as I’ve had such an amazing few years and the support you’ve all shown has been totally overwhelming, but I feel this is the right decision,” he wrote. “I’ve had the position of Mayor for nearly four years and enjoyed 99.9% of it!\u00a0The last 12 months have personally been a struggle.<\/p>\n “Taking on the position for another term after three years was perhaps a distraction. I thought I needed with the sale of the family farm going on and other personal issues going on behind the scenes, I didn\u2019t realise the extra weight it was putting on my shoulders.<\/p>\n “The last few years have been hard. Mum and Grandad passing away, two people who were my rocks and guiders, and other life changing moments have been a big toll on my health and felt this morning something had to give. I’ve got a professional job which has suffered due to my commitment to the community; and supporting my family, a higher priority than that.<\/p>\n “Therefore, with a heavy heart I’ve decided to stand down with immediate effect. This decision was very tough as I\u2019ve had such an amazing few years and the support you’ve all shown has been totally overwhelming, but I feel this is the right decision.<\/p>\n “Your support has been electric! We’ve had jubilees, proclamations, charity events, visits, other events \u2014\u00a0a total rollercoaster!”<\/p>\n Drink-driving has been in the public eye this week, the government announcing its\u00a0Road Safety Strategy<\/a>\u00a0and confirming that it will consult on reducing the drink-drive limit\u00a0for the first time since 1967.<\/p>\n The government also noted\u00a0the UK’s is currently “the highest in Europe” and\u00a0one in six road fatalities involved drink driving. The consultation\u00a0will also “explore the use of\u00a0preventative technology, such as\u00a0alcohol interlock devices,\u00a0and new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences”.<\/p>\n